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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August
23, 2002
Reading Grant Application
Reduces
Paperwork for Schools
The first steps toward a new and simplified grant application
process for local school districts are now in place, state
education officials said.
Starting immediately, using the Illinois Reading First grant
as a pilot, local districts will have an alternative to submitting
traditional paper proposals. Illinois Reading First Request
for Proposals were e-mailed to qualifying districts today,
with interested districts able to return completed applications
via e-mail.
“The transitional application process will ease the
paperwork burden on local districts,” said State Superintendent
of Education Robert E. Schiller. “This is the first
step toward technological improvements the agency plans to
make to ensure the best possible service for districts and
students.”
By the fall of 2003, grant applicants will login to an e-grant
system located on the State Board’s website and use
a common password to enter, access, and track information
on all grant proposals. The e-grant system will enable the
State Board to evaluate grants and award funds online for
more than 100 competitive and formulaic grants for educational
programs and services.
Illinois Reading First funds are part of the federal No Child
Left Behind Act and will total nearly $33 million this year.
Districts with low reading scores will receive the grants
to implement scientifically based reading programs in kindergarten
through grade 3. This year, 54 districts are eligible to apply
to receive from $50,000 to $175,000. The deadline for the
first application round is September 23, 2002, with the second
round due January 3, 2003.
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